“It’s striking the lengths he went to get the money, and the seeming indifference with how overt his activities were.”

On Friday, local media outlets reached out to Correia’s lawyer for a comment. He didn’t give any.

The feds detailed some of the instances involved in the accusations.

In one, Lelling said Correia walked into a vendor’s office and simply asked for $250,000 to issue one of the letters.

Then there was the time he said Correia was paid $75,000 in cash while sitting in the backseat of a car and then promptly handed over a signed letter.

Despite attempts to force him out thanks to his legal troubles, Correia has remained in office.

These weren’t the first criminal complaints against him. The mayor was already facing charges on accusations that he stole investor funds to bankroll a lavish lifestyle – charges to which he has pleaded not guilty.

Agents from the FBI and the IRS played a role in the latest investigation, which authorities said highlighted the potential for abuse in Massachusetts’ retail marijuana industry.

Here’s how the state law works. A so-called non-opposition letter is required to obtain a license to operate a marijuana business, which is issued by the head of the local government.

That letter says that he or she has verified that the business is in a permissible zoning district.

Turns out there were at least 14 such letters issued by Correia. Two of which went to his current girlfriend’s brother, authorities said.

As of the time of this report, it wasn’t clear if authorities are alleging there was any illegal activity involved in the issuing of the letter to the brother.

“We’re a little concerned,” said Lelling. “Local mayors can be sorely tempted. That single letter can be the ticket to a very lucrative business.”

The whole scandal has lead State Inspector General Glenn Cunha to make comments that he hopes the indictment prompts state marijuana regulators to consider additional safeguards.

Back in 2016, Massachusetts voters approved recreational sale of marijuana. It wasn’t until last November that the first storefronts opened.

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